Sagittarius
I was pulling a folder out of the file drawer at work, in our central office where scheduling activities took place. The owner of our company came in to check the schedule much like any other morning. Except this time, he had this weird sense of excitedness about him. He exclaimed, "They just flew a plane into the World Trade Center."
Everybody stopped what they were doing and I remember looking up at him from my bent-at-the-waist position, still leaning down with the folder half in its slot, half drawn out. I said, "What?" He repeated the same statement. I said, "Who?" He didn't know. Then I said, "Why?"
Nobody knew what to do. We typically didn't keep a radio going in any of the offices, so up until that point it was like any other Tuesday morning and we'd been completely unaware. Almost immediately our other boss, the owner's wife, connected a radio in her office to our intercom system so we could continue working while listening to the news. None of us were really concentrating on work, but we didn't really know what else to do. The only thing I really remember about the rest of that work day was lunch time. I sat in my car and listened to the radio and called loved ones on the phone, learning more piece by piece. I told one of my friends that I didn't know what would happen, but the world was completely different forever, starting right now. That much I knew.
Like most employers that day, our boss ended up letting us go home early shortly after I got back from lunch. My drive home was surreal. There were other cars on the road, but it was anything but normal.
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Comments
Re: I Remember And I Vote
By luyen, September 11, 2008 at 14:23As a Canadian i wasn't directly affected by 9/11, but I think in a very palpable way the psyche of the entire world was affected, primarily people in North America. Small things like taking an airplane is a huge ordeal now, a constant reminder that things aren't like they used to. Because America takes center stage on many levels, I too hope that the next government walks the middle road, particularly in the sensitive area of foreign policy, where I personally feel diplomacy was given the boot the last 8 years. I think it is the right timing for change, and for peaceful nations to work together towards stability and equality.
Re: I Remember And I Vote
By SmartCookie, September 11, 2008 at 14:42Thank you, Luyen.
I agree with you about diplomacy, and I find that the older I get the more I gravitate toward the middle politically. I saw a bumper sticker once on a car in my area. It said, "The Right is Wrong, The Left is Stupid." I don't think I'd put it quite the same way, but I think we do better when we think for ourselves instead of letting one "wing" or the other tell us who will take care of us better. I like taking care of myself, personally.
Thank you for your comment. I hope you have a wonderful evening. :-)
Re: I Remember And I Vote
By MGG, September 11, 2008 at 13:04Your analysis is spot on. Republicans have done a good job preventing further terrorist attacks but they have not reigned in spending. John McCain and Sarah Palin have the record of controlling waste and battling beauacracy that will bring real change to Washington. They are the ones who will do what is necessary to continue to keep us safe. I have no desire to return to what I remember of the Clinton years regarding national security. McCain-Palin 08
Re: I Remember And I Vote
By SmartCookie, September 11, 2008 at 13:26MGG,
Thank you. We have a lot of company in realizing that we voters haven't done the best job in picking our leaders in the recent past. Maya Angelou said, "When you knew better, you did better." I think that's the opportunity we have in this election. Boy, there's a lot of debate and disagreement over what "doing better" will mean this time! I think that's a good thing.
I went to a McCain/Palin rally yesterday where there were around 25,000 supporters! On just two days' notice! And that's even considering the couple dozen protestors who showed up, screaming very nasty hateful things, and also the folks who falsely posed as RNC officials and turned people away at the parking entrance with untruths like, the event was full and they were turning people away, telling people with children they couldn't bring strollers or bags ... well, quite a lot of people did fall for it, unfortunately, but the crowd was enormous anyway!
The rally was originally booked at a local school (the same county where Obama and Hillary had both held rallies at schools previously). Suddenly, the day before the event, the school district decided they couldn't have a rally in a school. Well, it was irrelevant anyway, because no school could have held that many supporters!
It was an outstanding event filled with Democrats, Republicans and independents ... a friendly diversity of people of all types!
Thanks again for your comment and have a wonderful evening!
Re: I Remember And I Vote
By SmartCookie, September 11, 2008 at 13:01krisper,
Good luck. We all have to do what we believe is best. I remember the last 8 years also. I'm voting for the future not the past and I'm glad that President Bush can't run again. Like you, I'm ready for a big change. I'm glad you're voting your conscience. You and I don't have to agree on our votes, but I appreciate your comment. Have a wonderful evening and thank you for remembering.
Re: I Remember And I Vote
By krisper, September 11, 2008 at 12:39I remember and will never forget 9/11 also, along with the past 8 years. Therefore, my vote goes to Obama and Biden.